Age: 18
2019 Level: Rookie
Tools (current/future value) Take with a grain of salt because we are going off more pre-draft numbers
Hit: 30/50
Game Power: 30/45
Raw Power: 40/50
Run: 65/65
Glove: 50/55
Arm: 45/45
Most Likely Future Role: Utility
Ceiling: Everyday SS
What we know: Young, athletic up the middle prospect that created a little buzz down in the GCL with his steady glove and approach at the plate. The Orioles selected the right-handed hitting tall lanky speedster after he started to jump up some boards with good pre-draft workouts. He hadn’t been seen against much high level competition which may have allowed him to be there in the 5th round, but he’s a kid with tools and a nice ceiling. Committed just one error in 24 games at SS and finished strong slashing .340/.392/.468/.860 over his last 12 games of the season. There have been some pre-draft questions about his arm being fringy, but he showed well in his pro debut.
What we don’t know: A lot. He’s so young and raw and hasn’t played above the lowest rookie ball, so he’s a bit of an unknown. It will be interesting to see if he’s given the opportunity to play everyday at Delmarva next year or whether they will wait and send him to play at Aberdeen. We also don’t know about the arm yet since we haven’t seen him live as a pro.
What we think: We’re being very aggressive on putting Hernaiz on the list at this point, but his upside compared to the others suggests he’s in the right spot. Hernaiz shows a little pop on occasion, plus speed, and has a very athletic frame to adds muscle too. If he starts the year in Delmarva next year it will show how much the Orioles like him despite the fact he will only 18-years old at the start of the Delmarva season.
Another Take: Hernaiz definitely has the upside to be this high on the list. He has a great frame and shows the athleticism and actions to stick at shortstop. There is average bat speed and some natural loft in the swing. I haven’t seen enough to personally put him above some of the names that follow though. I just lack the info to project the bat. He’s a guy who will be very high on my watch list for 2020 and hopefully he proves my conservative approach unwarranted. (Luke Siler)
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